Comox Valley Record reporter Erin Haluschak is a finalist for a Jack Webster Award.

Her article, Valley woman makes historic name change for truth and reconciliation, has been named in the Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Reporting.

The article highlighted Danita Bilozaze香蕉视频直播檚 efforts to reclaim her family name, which had been changed by the residential school system.

香蕉视频直播淚 first came across Danita Bilozaze香蕉视频直播檚 story on social media; I saw a post she made in the spring about her experience trying to get a passport,香蕉视频直播� said Haluschak. 香蕉视频直播淚n addition to the massive bureaucratic hurdles and colonial roadblocks she described, she also mentioned she was the first person in Canada to reclaim her Indigenous name on the document. Just by reading her post online, I was shocked by what she went through and the tenacity she displayed to fight for her rights 香蕉视频直播� a fight that she shouldn香蕉视频直播檛 have to do.

香蕉视频直播淎lso, to be the first person in the country who resides in the Valley to have her new passport through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action is incredible, along with her willingness and desire to share her story.香蕉视频直播�

Haluschak said she was impressed by Bilozaze香蕉视频直播檚 openness and willingness to discuss the topic, when the two met for an interview.

香蕉视频直播淎s I met Danita for coffee we talked about her experience with various levels of government and if sharing her story would be another layer of responsibility placed on her in order to unnecessarily educate others,香蕉视频直播� said Haluschak. 香蕉视频直播淗er grace, resilience, determination and willingness to not only bring about change on a federal level but to openly share her story for others to hear and learn is something not only to be admired, but to learn from and remember.香蕉视频直播�

This is the second nomination for Haluschak, who was also named as a finalist in 2015 for her three-part I香蕉视频直播檛ustolagalis 香蕉视频直播� Rising Up, Together series, which covered the reconciliation ceremony and demolition of St. Michael香蕉视频直播檚 Residential School in Alert Bay.

Haluschak said she recognizes the importance of being a voice for her community.

香蕉视频直播淚 think particularly as journalists, it is imperative that we tell stories reflective of our community and amplify the voices of those around us, in a variety of ways,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淧articularly as a non-Indigenous journalist, I have committed to the ongoing work of learning and listening, objectively looking at the stories, power and privilege in media and to find ways to improve my interactions and storytelling in ways that are healthy and respectable to the community I am working in.香蕉视频直播�

Haluschak is the only Black Press reporter named as a finalist for a Jack Webster this year.

The Webster Awards honour the best journalism in print, radio, television and online in British Columbia.